Archive for July, 2009

The Knoxville Area Community Theatre is having auditions
for Li'l Abner August 1st from 9:00 am to Noon, August 5th
and 6th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and August 9th from 2:00
pm to 4:00 pm. The production is being directed by Lana
Pol and Tiffany Van Zante. Auditions are being held at the
First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Residents can
call 641-780-6331 or 641-780-4721 for more information.

Its not quite yet August, but that hasn't kept the Pella
Chamber of Commerce from planning events for this fall.
Chamber Director Karen Eischen tells KNIA/KRLS news the
first of two retail events has been planned for September
17th through the 19th and will highlight the employees of
local businesses. The second event, planned for October,
has been called Pella in Pink, and will involve retail
specials and several activities related to the support of
the fight against breast cancer.

Iowa State University Mahaska Extension is offering a Farm
Land Leasing workshop August 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at
the Mahaska County Extension Office at 212 N I Street in
Oskaloosa. Dale Miller with the Marion County ISU
Extension says its a good opportunity for Marion County
farmers to look at land cash rental rates, and find out
information on the new farm bill and information on
changing a lease, among other presentations. Miller says
the workshop costs $20 per person, and to call 842-2014
for more information.

A new piece of machinery is creating some excitement among
the workers at the Tassel Ridge Winery. Owner Bob Wersen
tells KNIA/KRLS News a recently acquired grape picker will
both reduce the cost of harvesting by hand and improve the
quality of the wine by picking more grapes at their peak.
The Tassel Ridge winery is located just off of Highway 163
between Pella and Oskaloosa.

The Marion County Board of Supervisors approved the annual
transfer of funds to the Secondary Road Department at
their bi-monthly meeting Monday. The funds were
transferred from the General Basic Fund and Rural Basic
Fund according to the 2009-2010 budget.

Police in Pella are urging area residents and business
owners to be aware of a recent phone scam that has been
targeting the area. The caller is using the Relay Iowa
phone system for the hearing impaired to request credit
card information and money to be sent via Western Union.
Those receiving these calls are reminded to not give out
any financial information and to contact the Pella Police
Department.

The Knoxville Chamber Commerce is looking for volunteers
to help with Chamber office duties and errands in
preparation for the 49th Annual Knoxville Nationals next
month. That's according to Melinda O'Field with the
Chamber. She says residents interested in volunteering can
stop by the Chamber, or call 828-7555 for more
information.

Three vehicles were involved in an accident Monday evening
on the west side of Pella, two of which were parked. A
pickup driven by a male juvenile struck a parked SUV on
West 5th street, just off of Washington, which was pushed
forward into a third vehicle. No injuries were reported
and no charges were filed. Pella police, fire, and
ambulance departments responded to the call.

$1,657 was awarded in prize money for those who made
entries during the 2009 Marion County Fair last week.
That's according to fair events committee member Brian
Stickle. He also says 87 people submitted multiple entries
in a spectrum of categories.

Today the city of Pella will receive a portion of the
I-Jobs funding that was announced last week. City
Administrator Mike Nardini tells KNIA/KRLS News at the
current time, the $96,016 has not been designated for any
project. The city will receive 45% of that total today,
with the remaining 55% to be paid in 2010.